Track Review: Esso - What If It Was You

 
Download: Esso - What If It Was You

What a chillingly beautiful chorus. The perfect sample for track with this type of content. Speaking of which, in this track Esso lays out how it might feel to walk in the shoes of societies most shunned or despised (by some, at least, and celebrated by others) and offers explanations for why it is they may make the decisions they do, and asks you if you'd do any different in their situation.

And what if it was you with that felony to your name,
always in and out the system even though you wanna change,
you never gon' get that job no matter how hard you explain,
you grew up in the hood, would you right be right back pitching 'cane?

And what if you was a star, everyone know who you are,
would you make it rain in strip clubs after buying out the bar?
Or would you right those songs that could change somebody life? Or feel like if you tried they'd ignore and treat you like, your outta sight..

Rating: 8.5/10

Track Review: Bizzle - This Aint Love ft. Lavoisier & Sevin (Prod. Boi-1da)

Off Bizzle's Tough Love & Parables album.

Download: Bizzle - This Aint Love ft. Lavoisier & Sevin (Prod. Boi-1da)

It was the Boi-1da production that got me to check this out but i'm glad i did. The production is excellent, led by some epic, sweeping strings and layered piano. With the three MC's, some lack a little presence and some don't have the most dynamic flows but all have fantastic lyrics and insightful commentary. Pretty much, all three of them call out and make known all the hypocrisy present in anyone who justifies horrible actions in the name of love. Yes, that could very easily come across as corny but there's just too much realism infused in the content for that to be the case. This is the type of song you would play for an imbecile who claims rap is all 'gangster thuggin bullshit and and lacks any substance'.

Risk your freedom and your life for keys to beamers and some ice,
You can't be beatin on your wife and teach your seeds about what's right,

Rating: 8.5/10

Track Review: Nikki Jean - Million Star Hotel ft. Lupe Fiasco & Black Thought

Off Nikki's album, Pennies In A Jar, coming out tomorrow.

Download: Nikki Jean - Million Star Hotel ft. Lupe Fiasco & Black Thought || Lyrics

This is one hell of a track. I can't seem to find who produced this effort but whoever was responsible deserves a heap of credit for the brilliant orchestral production, the way the tracks mood shifts and change-ups are handled and how Nikki's vocals were mixed. For those not familiar with the name, Nikki was the vocalist who contributed to Lupe's The Cool, where she contributed hooks on 'Hip-Hop Saved My Life' & 'Little Weapon'. Lupe and Black Thought both contribute stunning verses centered around well constructed metaphors, so, when i say Nikki was just as critical to this track, that should tell you something about her performance.

But, I'm not really wanting for too much
I could feel like a millionaire with a few bucks
Whether in black Chucks or a new tux
Some take note but never give two fucks
Whether Wu-Tang Clan or the Klu-Klux
Wonder how the world gon' handle the new stuff
Find true love, that's my new drug
Nikki Jean get the orchestra cued up

This was everything a Lupe Fiasco / Black Thought collaboration should be.

Rating: 9.5/10

Previously: Album Review: Lupe Fiasco - LASERS || Saigon - Too Long ft. Black Thought

Track Review: Mr. J. Medeiros - Serious ft. Stro

This is off Medeiros' latest release, Saudade, out now.

Download: Mr. J. Medeiros - Serious ft. Stro

Medeiros' rapping is just so easy to listen to. The voice is unique without being too distinct, the flow is effortless, the rhyme schemes are flawless and there's just the right amount of lyricism for if you're not in an overly analytical mood. Stro's vocals are really growing on me as well and the singer does a good job with this track here.

Rating: 8/10

Previously: Mr. J. Medeiros - Neon Signs ft. Stro

First Class ft. Wale, Big Sean & B.o.B

Download: First Class ft. Wale, Big Sean & B.o.B | Lyrics

Not too sure where exactly this cut is from. Nonetheless, i'm struggling to find much to say about it. Not a single facet of the song was disappointing..was it a good track? Yes. Does any part of it stand-out? No, not really, it's just your regular laid-back production and 'a day in my awesome life' content.

Rating: 7/10

Previously: Album Review: Big Sean - Finally Famous || B.o.B - NY NY || Wale - Jump (freestyle)

Track Review: Consequence - On My Own ft. KiD CuDi (Prod. Kanye West)

Originally slated for Cons Tv, this is now slated to appear on Movies On Demand 3.

Download: Consequence - On My Own ft. KiD CuDi (Prod. Kanye West) | Lyrics

Consequence is solid as usual on this as speaks indirectly on his recent label situation and what he's learnt from it.

When you on the road to riches and you get to where the road stops
people in your life are either shortcuts or roadblocks

I felt his verses were a little short but. I have mixed feelings though about both the Kanye production and the KiD CuDi hook. I think the vocal samples are used well but i'm not a fan of the strings Ye' sampled. As for the hook, there's something about CuDi's 'forever' refrain that just rubs me the wrong way but other than that it's enjoyable enough.

Rating: 6.5/10

Track Review: Apathy - Word To The 23rd freestyle

Apathy does a promo freestyle over Mobb Deep's 'Eye For An Eye' and House of Pain's 'Put Ya Head Out'.

Download: Apathy - Word To The 23rd freestyle

Apathy really hasn't put a foot wrong in the lead up to his Honkey Kong release (August 23rd) with every track put out being nothing less than great. Apathy does a great job over the House of Pain track but he pretty much destroys 'Eye For An Eye' and shows exactly exactly how you do multisyllabic rhymes without them coming across as forced.

Impatient, sick of waiting, sick of pacing in my room,
in syncopation with the shit i'm playing, feel it boom
Sick of chasing, chick's i'm dating, dick 'em then i'm quickly skating
Spittin insignificant ignorance mixed with information

Rating: 8.5/10

Previously: Apathy - East Coast Rapist | Apathy - Most Murderous Music (freestyle)

Track Review: The Cool Kids - Roll Call ft. Asher Roth, Chip The Ripper & Boldy James

This is off The Cool Kids debut album, When Fish Ride Bicycles, dropping this Tuesday, July 12th.

Lyrics | Download: The Cool Kids - Roll Call ft. Asher Roth, Chip The Ripper & Boldy James

'Roll Call' is the type of Cool Kids i enjoy. No forgetting to rhyme half your lines from Mike and Chuck and the minimal production that manages to keep your attention and avoid feeling repetitive, especially given the track runs for 5 minutes. Asher has a nice verse, Chip's is okay and Boldy's is 'eh'.

Rating: 7.5/10

Track Review: RZA - Operator ft. Kosha Dillz & Kool G Rap

This post is mainly thanks to Kosha Dillz. This is the first time I've heard the MC, who, if you hadn't noticed from the name, is Jewish, and seems to like to drop a number of references in his rhymes so you don't forget it. Gimmicks aside he does a terrific job with his verse here, his flows flawless, rhyme schemes are on point and he's adept with the imagery as well. RZA contributes some decent production and an average refrain while Kool G Rap lays down a fairly underwhelming 16 himself.

Download: RZA - Operator ft. Kosha Dillz & Kool G Rap | Lyrics

Rating: 7/10

Track Review: Trae Tha Truth – I’m On ft. Lupe Fiasco, Big Boi, Wale, Wiz Khalifa & MDMA

Off Trae's upcoming album, Street King, dropping July 12th.

Productions on point here with it's minimalist, relaxed vibe. MDMA's vocals are a nice touch an a lot less commercial than anything you might have heard from him on LASERS. Lupe's verse is pretty good and Big Boi brings some great energy to the track. Trae, Wale and Wiz's verses are all decent enough but hardly memorable. I've seen a lot of complaints regarding Trae's voice and I have to say, it certainly is distinct. I can't say I'm a big fan but it fails to bother me either.

Download: Trae Tha Truth – I’m On f. Lupe Fiasco, Big Boi, Wale, Wiz Khalifa & MDMA (Produced by Cy Fyre The Producer) | Lyrics

Rating: 7.5/10

Track Review: Common - Ghetto Dreams ft. Nas (Prod. No I.D.)

 Ghetto Dreams is Common’s first single off his upcoming album, The Dreamer, The Believer. My Hat's off to No I.D. for his production here, it sounds like a modern day revision of a 90's 'banger' with it's looped sample arrangement and vocal cuts for a chorus.

The type of bitch that Big said he would die for
Is the type that I would rather stay alive for

While I never would have thought 'women' would be a suitable topic for this brand of production, Common's musings on the perfect woman and Nas' braggadocios adventures concerning the opposite sex both work because they apply the same flow and delivery you'd expect from either of them on a 'street track'.

Rating: 8/10 

Download: Common - Ghetto Dreams ft. Nas | Lyrics 
Previously: Nas - Nasty
.

Track Review: Richie Cunning - Pure Imagination (Prod. Richie Cunning)

Download: Richie Cunning - Pure Imagination

I feel like I'm saying this a lot lately, but, this track is a contender for song of the year so far. The production makes use of the 'Willy Wonka' soundtrack - which it samples - to great effect, with a dark, somber loop that switches to more wistful, feel good instrumentation throughout the song. The writing is superb. Richie is both poetic and straight-forward as he muses on what life would be like if he made it, followed by his exploration of the reality of his situation.The lyrics are brutally honest and all the more endearing for it:

If i knew that even one listener was with it
I would spit til the club had to close down,
Like a tired old horn player blowin with his
case popped open on the street in a ghost town,
Take a breath, grab the mic, here we go again,
Crowd thinning I pretend that I aint noticing,
They say 'Richie yo you know we got your back
but it's late and we aint sittin round waitin for the show to end',
Type a night to turn bangers into sad songs,
Didn't even make enough to grab a cab home,
Same train same lonely ride, the cold world roles slowly by..

 Just brilliant.

Rating: 10/10

The Catch Up Pt.3 (J.Cole Edition)

Part 2 of The Catch Up can be viewed here.

In an effort to not hear half of 'Cole World' before it's even released i've held off listening to 'Cheer Up' and 'Lost Ones' for the moment.

How High | 8.5/10
The first few times I heard this track I pegged it as a decent track and nothing more. However, it hasn't lost any replay value in the 15-odd listens i've given it so far and i'm at a loss to pinpoint why. Sure, the track has no real flaws but it has no real highlights either. I think this a case where the sum of the whole outweighs the parts.
Download | Lyrics

Return of Simba | 9.5/10
As the 3rd entry in Cole's series of 'Simba' tracks, 'Return of Simba' lives up to his forbearers. As I've said before, Cole's production is criminally overlooked and this track is as good an example of that as you're likely to find. This track is straight quality, no corny lines or punches here.
‘Cause I only made classics, now what that take? Timing
Cole under pressure, what that make? Diamonds'

Download | Lyrics

Workout | 6.5/10

Th production on this lead single for J.Cole's upcoming 'Cole World' has a lot more depth to it than most give it credit for. Cole's lyrics, on the other hand, are probably as shallow and lacking as we've ever heard from him. The incredibly cliche and overemphasised 4 bar bridges are particularly cringe-worthy. Still, for what it is, it's a decent enough track, mainly due to the production and chorus.

Download | Lyrics

Pt. 2 of The Catch Up can be found here.

Pt. 4, the Drake edition, coming soon.

Lupe Fiasco - Who Are You Now ft. B.o.B

Download: Lupe Fiasco - Who Are You Now ft. B.o.B

I'm not sure where this unfinished collaboration between Atlantic label mates has come from, but it's welcome nonetheless. I would have liked to hear the finished product though with what sounds like it probably would have been a third verse from Lupe. The track itself has both MC's talking on identity and we tend to identify it through material possessions. Lupe's conceptual verse ties in really well B.o.B's more 'statement-ridden' follow-up. One of Lupe's greatest strengths is certainly how he manages to approach an issue from a creative angle and still manage to get the point across.

No colleges no scholarships so she put on some Navy clothes
Pregnant now its bigger clothes
Delivered now back in littler clothes
Different girl when the liquor flow
Stripper name, stripper clothes
Stripper pose on stripper poles
Then take off her stripper clothes

Lyrics

Rating: 7.5/10

Previously: Album Review: Lupe Fiasco - LASERS | Lupe Fiasco - Stereo Sun

Shad - Give You All I Can (Prod. Skratch Bastid)

Download: Shad - Give You All I Can 

This here is Shad's gift to his fans after winning the Juno Award for Best Rap Release for his brilliant album, TSOL. Indulging in nostalgia follows. A better quality recording coupled with some better mixing wouldn't have gone astray but it's a dope track nonetheless.

'Check the thermostat, it's not cool to have degrees'

Rating: 8/10

Previously: Shad - Time ft. Promise | Shad - Yaa I Get It

Has-Lo - Forgotten Styles

Download: Has-Lo - Forgotten Styles

Off Has-Lo's new album, In Case I Don't Make It. To be perfectly honest there isn't a lot to differentiate Has-Lo from your everyday run-of-the-mill rapper. He is consistently superior in almost every category to 'generic MC number one' but he's not the sort to stand-out and grab your attention on first listen. There is something however about his unorthodox rhyming, smooth flow and laid-back delivery that keeps catching my interest. Roll up a joint and chill out to this right here.

'Life's a short story where you build wealth
an the cost is you, 
lose touch with the old you, a lower class nobody'

Rating: 7.5/10

Previously: Apollo Brown - Heirlooms ft. Has-Lo

Joe Budden - Ayo ft. Emanny

Download: Joe Budden - Ayo ft. Emanny

I've always found Emanny's choruses REALLY hit or miss...but thankfully he did a great job on this track here, purportedly set to be released with Mood Muzik 4.5. As for Joe, sometimes I find it a struggle to locate anything worth quoting when I throw a track up on the blog...with Budden this is literally never the case.

They tell me to calm down, n***a relax
I tell 'em calm down, let me relapse

On a somewhat related note, follow this man on twitter. He could have been a writer for Seinfeld with some of the observations he comes up with, I swear.

Lyrics

Rating: 8.5/10

Previously: Saigon - Bring Me Down Pt. 3 ft. Joe Budden | Joe Budden - Ordinary Love Shit pt. 1 & 2

Kendrick Lamar & Ab-Soul - Rapper Shit

Download: Kendrick Lamar & Ab-Soul - Rapper Shit

Almost 6 minutes straight rap here. For the most part both Black Hippy members are showing their skills off on the mic but they both (though Ab-Soul especially) come rather close at times to crossing over the line towards corny attempts at lyricism (ala Lil' Wayne). Still, a dope track.

Rating: 7.5/10

Action Bronson - Cliff Notes (Prod. Statik Selektah)

Download: Action Bronson - Cliff Notes

I'm still trying to get over just how similar to Ghostface Killah's voice, Actions Bronson's is. Wow! The similarities don't end there either, his erratic yet charisma filled content and dominating personality are also reminiscent of the Wu legend.

'Pussy Rap, dental dam, beaver trap
The thrill is gone, i'm hear to bring the fever back'

That's how you open a track. Happy to hear a chorus full of cuts as well. Great track.
 
Rating: 8/10

B.o.B - NY NY

 
Download: B.o.B - NY NY

All the new B.o.B material released since The Adventures Of Bobby Ray dropped has been pretty, well....meh. Not so NY NY which see's B.o.B (the rapper, not the singer) go in over some emotive production courtesy of the game, Crysis 2. B.o.B himself lays down some urgently delivered 'get up and fight the system' bars that bring to mind the 'old' pre-TAOBR MC.

'You wanted a Benz, you couldn't afford it / Now you'd kill to put your foot in a Torus'

Lyrics

Rating: 8.5/10